Ohio State Football Player Arrested For DUI
University of Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett pled guilty Monday to a driving under the influence arrest on Halloween. Barrett struck a plea deal in court, pleading guilty to a DUI in exchange for dismissing a backing without safety charge. He will not serve jail time, but his license has been suspended for 180 days and will pay $400 in fines and court fees. In addition, Barrett will have to go through a three-day alcohol education program. The 20-year-old was arrested at a on campus police checkpoint, and according to police, his blood alcohol concentration was .099, which is much higher than the legal limit of .02 for people under the legal drinking age.
He’s Sorry
At the hearing, Barrett apologized for his actions on Halloween night.
“I just wanted to apologize to my family for this embarrassment and also to the Ohio State football program and also Buckeye Nation,” Barrett said. “I never wanted to hurt Ohio State for what it’s done for me as a player and also as a person and I’m truly sorry for that.”
However, Barrett may be more sorry that he got caught. Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer gave him a fairly light punishment. Barrett was suspended in last week’s 28-14 win against the University of Minnesota but is expected to start against the University of Illinois on Saturday. Also, Barrett lost his 2016 summer financial aid.
Tennessee DUI Laws
Tennessee DUI laws are very similar to Ohio’s. The legal BAC limit is set at .08 percent, but for those under the legal drinking age of 21 years old, the legal BAC limit is .02 percent. The punishments are harsher in Tennessee, however. Barrett only had his license revoked for six months, but in Tennessee, he would have lost his driving privileges for one year. Tennessee requires a minimum 48 hours of jail time for first time DUI offenders. If an officer suspects you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol behind the wheel, the officer will ask you take the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, which includes the horizontal gaze nystagmus, walk-and-turn and one-leg stand. After completing the test, an officer will ask you to submit a BAC test. If you fail, you will immediately be arrested and jailed for a DUI.
Hire A Nashville DUI Attorney
DUI offenses carry serious penalties if found guilty. DUI laws are extremely complex, and it is important to have an experienced attorney on your side who has the knowledge and training to fight a DUI arrest. At Turner Law Offices, P.C., we have over 20 years of experience in dealing with DUI cases, and we are committed to winning your case in court. A DUI is the only criminal offense based solely on an officer’s opinion. Our attorneys know the various factors that affect your BAC, and we can create a proper defense for you. Call us or Request a Free Initial Consultation today to connect with one of our attorneys!
